Staff report for action on a private tree removal for 72 Cheltenham Avenue 1

STAFF REPORT ACTION REQUIRED

72 Cheltenham Avenue – Application to Remove a Private Tree

Date: October 24, 2008

To: North York Community Council

From: Richard Ubbens, Director, Urban Forestry, Parks, Forestry and Recreation

Wards: Ward 25 – Don Valley West

Reference Number:

SUMMARY

The report requests Council’s authority to deny the request for removal of one (1) privately-owned tree, located in the front yard of 72 Cheltenham Avenue. The homeowner is concerned that the roots of the tree may grow into and block the newly replaced sewer line.

Inspection of the tree by staff revealed that the tree is in good condition. With proper care and maintenance, the tree should continue to provide benefits to the community for years to come. Urban Forestry cannot support the loss of existing trees as their loss is contrary to the City’s stated goal of doubling the tree canopy.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation recommends that Council deny the request for permit to remove one (1) privately-owned tree at 72 Cheltenham Avenue.

Financial Impact There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.

ISSUE BACKGROUND In accordance with City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 813, Trees, Article III, an application has been made requesting permission to remove one (1) privately-owned tree

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located at the front of the property municipally known as 72 Cheltenham Avenue. The owner has replaced the old clay tile drain system with P.V.C. piping and is concerned that tree roots may enter and block the repaired line.

COMMENTS An application for a permit was received in February 2008, from the owner of 72 Cheltenham Avenue for the removal of one (1) privately-owned Norway maple tree with a 56-centimetre diameter.

The tree is located in the front yard of the house, three (3) metres southeast of the corner of the attached garage. An arborist report that accompanied the application stated that the maple tree would suffer extensive root loss due to proposed excavation required to repair a damaged drain pipe. Urban Forestry staff were not able to conduct an inspection of the site to determine the location of the proposed excavation until the area was clear of snow. An inspection in April 2008, determined that the excavation had taken place and the repairs to the sewer line had been completed.

The homeowners drain pipe runs north-south from the street sewer connection into the drainage system and is located approximately two (2) metres east of the subject maple tree, below grade. The April inspection by staff found that there had been minimal excavation within the tree’s root zone and therefore the health of the maple tree had not been compromised.

Urban Forestry provided the homeowner with a City of Toronto information sheet regarding tree roots in drains, which states that roots do not cause the breaks in a broken drain or water line, but will grow into a damaged line to acquire the water and air a tree requires to survive. Unfortunately for the homeowner, the pre-existing clay tile drain line had failed and required replacing. The repaired drainage system has been upgraded with P.V.C. piping which tree roots cannot penetrate unless the system itself fails.

The property owner proposes a replacement planting consisting of two (2) trees at the rear of the property, a blue spruce or pine and an English oak if approval is granted for the removal of the Norway maple.

As required under Section 813-17, of City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 813, Trees, Article III, a ‘Notice’ of Application sign was posted on the subject property for the minimum 14 day posting period in order to notify the neighbourhood and provide an opportunity for objection to the application. One letter of objection, which included the signature of four (4) neighbouring families, was received in response to the posting. The subject tree is very significant and is a valuable part of the forest community that exists within this area. With proper care and maintenance, the tree should continue to provide benefits to the property and to the community for many years to come. Urban Forestry cannot support removal of this tree due to its viable condition and contribution to the Urban Forest. The sewer line has been replaced and the issue of tree roots entering and blocking the new line is no longer a concern.

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CONTACT John Stuckless, Assistant Planner, Urban Forestry, Tel: 416 395-6185, Fax: 416 395-7886, Email: jstuckl@toronto.ca

SIGNATURE

_______________________________

Richard Ubbens Director, Urban Forestry, Parks, Forestry and Recreation

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment No. 1 – Photograph of Norway maple Attachment No. 2 – Photograph of Norway maple Attachment No. 3 – Letter of objection

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Attachment No. 1

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Attachment No. 2

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Attachment No. 3

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